Amazing Grace is a hymn written by English poet John Newton and published in 1779. It is one of the most recognizable songs in the English-speaking world. The songs message discusses redemption and forgiveness received through the grace of God, a personal experience for Newton who worked as a slave trader before becoming a Christian. Newton wrote the words as an illustration of his own conversion to Christianity, and the melody associated with it ... See more [+] was added about 70 years after his death.